The southern tropical island of Hainan will host the country's first Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) tournament in October, organizers said on Tuesday.

Grand China Air, the parent of Hainan Airlines, will title sponsor the inaugural event, the China Golf Association (CGA), Grand China Air, LPGA and sports management firm IMG jointly announced.

The Grand China Air LPGA meet will be played from Oct 24 to 26 at the Haikou West Golf Club in the provincial capital of Haikou.

Sixty-three of the world's best players will compete for the $1.8 million prize money. The player field will be made up of the top 51 ranked available players on the LPGA Official Money List as of Sept 14 and 12 invited players to be decided by the CGA, Grand China Air and IMG.

The lineup is expected to help create playing opportunities for Chinese women golfers and give such players the chance to compete with the very best in the world.

"We are very happy to announce this new event, a result of the CGA's dedication in promoting women's golf in China, which will, without a doubt, become a new milestone in the development of the sport in this country," Zhang Xiaoning, director of the Multi-Ball Games Center of the State Sports General Administration, said.

"It will be very exciting and motivating for our up-and-coming young Chinese golfers to have the chance to watch the world's best women golfers here in China, allowing some of them to improve their skills by actually competing with the top LPGA players. We also hope Chinese players will achieve good results," Zhang, who is also CGA deputy president and secretary-general, added.

"This is a landmark event for women's professional golf, and we are excited to bring the best of the LPGA to China," LPGA Commissioner Carolyn F. Bivens said.

"China is one of the fastest growing golf markets in Asia, and with our growing fan and sponsor interest, it is the right time to bring the LPGA there. We are looking forward to working with the China Golf Association, Grand China Air and IMG on this inaugural event," Bivens said.

"Creating a new event in a dynamic market such as China has been very exciting, and in the Grand China Air LPGA, I believe we have got the formula just right for a fantastic tournament and one that will enhance Grand China Air's profile worldwide," Robbie Henchman, IMG Senior Vice-President, Director of Golf, Asia, said.

China Daily

(China Daily 05/01/2008 page11)